“Of the total of Rs.61,824.30crore disbursed in 59 schemes through DBT during 2015-16, Rs.16,495.69 crore has been disbursed through Aadhar linked bank accounts,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the RajyaSabha in a written reply

The total number of beneficiaries for the Aadhar-linked bank accounts stood at 19.51 crore in 2015-16, he said.

“Eligible beneficiaries of various schemes yet to be covered under DBT architecture of Aadhar linked bank accounts, continue to avail entitled benefits, as per the arrangements applicable prior to the introduction of DBT,” Jaitley added.

The total number of beneficiaries for the DBT scheme for 2015-16 was 30.78 crore, he said.

More than saving of funds, DBT aims for greater accountability and transparency by accurate targeting of beneficiaries, plugging leakages, de-duplication and eliminating wastages, the finance minister said.